is it ok to take a year off from work and just do _nothing_?

Question

I got really burned out over the last couple of years at work. Long story. In August I stopped working and decided to take a year off. Im not really wanting to do anything much, just rest. My days are spent watching dvd's and using the computer, surfing the net, and playing games. My question is, do you think its ok to do this? Am I doing myself any harm by living a totally unstructured life? what are your thoughts on the idea of a year spent doing 'nothing'?

Answer 1

I do this myself quite often, and I love it.

My main advice is to do something worthwhile and keep goals in your life, or you'll get bored after a few months. Spend your time wisely - learn some new skills, create things, you want to be looking back in a years time with satisfaction not with regret. Don't waste time playing online games, they just eat your time and have no ending, no purpose.

Also, try to keep some structure to your life - being awake during daylight hours and doing something different at the weekends will help prevent your time from blending into one long unproductive daynight.

Then there's the social aspect of work, humans are social animals and are supposed to be involved in the day to day drama of interacting with other people. This is pretty much the reason your brain is so complex, and without a social life you can expect boredom in the short term and depression in the long term. Try to stay active socially and don't become a hermit.

Answer 2

If you can afford it, I think that is great! We all need to unwind and recharge sometimes. I've sort of been going through the same thing, but I've just had 2 months off work and I am returning in another week. If you are worried about being completely unstructured, you could always do a couple things each day, like go for a walk outside or read a book, so you are feeling a little more productive. However, I don't see a problem with the unstructured time either. Maybe think about what you want in life and what changes after the year would make you happier. Maybe you need a change in what you are doing in the long run. Good luck and have fun.

Answer 3

either you have enough $$$ saved up that you can do that or you are living with your parents... which is sad, just *sad* (poor parents, they thought they were finally going to have the house to themselves so they could get freaky on the couch)

I took the summer off (by force, really, as my hubby's job relocated to another state) and traveled across the country and back and then had to deal with finding a new job so I could pay off my traveling bills, but it was loads of fun and when I got back I was READY to work...

I would never condone just doing nothing tho. An idle mind is the devil's playground. Take a short rest and then devote your time to bettering your life. You get burned out on work for only one reason: you have NOTHING else to think about.

So find something else to interest you. Learn something new. Go back to college. Take up writing. Go to the beach. DVDs, computers, games etc - those are all well and good in moderation, but not all the time... all the time = depression, and pretty soon you become Mr. Hermit Crab hiding away in your shell and thinking of ways to bomb your old work place.

Do yourself (and society) a favor and make sure you get out of the house for a bit every day.

Answer 4

don't stop everything. if you need time off, take time off. s**t can get hectic i know, but only until you feel ready to get back in there. a year spent doing nothing is...a shame. kinda like saying i give up. try new things. read new material, volunteer for something. learn something new. just don't waste a year away pleasing yourself. in fact, spend a year doing the opposite. i'm not talking about working, but doing things you need to do but don't want to. ask more of yourself. somewhere someone or thing would really appreciate your help, and that there would give you real satisfaction, not watching DVDs, surfing the net, playing games. that is instant gratification, and also no good! they teach you nothing of worth. try things that don't reward you instantly. it will make a better/stronger you.

games and movies and surfing the web as i say of no value being, say when you're on you death bed, you won't remember any of them really, but you will remember the real challange of greater things. doing things for others. not yourself.

Answer 5

God yes it is more than ok, wish I could join you, I would probably spend a lot less time inside and get off the computer though. I would spend my days makin art, long walks on the beach, hiking, driving around aimlessly, seeking new experiences, and of course hitting a coffee shop early enough to get comfortable and watch everyone rushing off to work while I contemplate nothing or everything while not having to go to work!!!! Good for you! I am so jealous, if you can then do!!!!!

Answer 6

I see nothing wrong with taking a year off from work and resting as long as you can pay your bills and eat. While you take your year off perhaps you might want to give thought to a new line of work or going back to school. Make the year off count and make new plans for yourself while you have the time to think about it.

Answer 7

How do you live? If you had amassed enough savings to live on for that year then who cares if you took the time off. Its none of our business.

If I were your relative (Opps, oh no another lecture),
I would suggest only one itsy bitsy thing. Take a course (or two, or three) while you are being off for the year. There is no sense in wasting that part of your time

Take a securities trading course, take pottery, baking, gardening, reading the stars, birdwatching, gourmet cooking, or another language. Kung fu, folding origami paper, kite flying etc.

Thats all.

Answer 8

if u can fiathal do it (meaning do it with out going in to any debit ) go for it but

USER BEWARE lol u might get a bit out of shape siting on your but(t) all day so u might want to go to the gym and stuf to stay active it should keep u in shape for when u go back to work


and ofcores have fun relax speendtime with family frinds and sleep

Answer 9

it is completely fine....until and unless...you could pull back yourself to continue with the work....as it would become a routine if you could not go back to work...which will divert you to a different path...if you feel you could not do so...just return to work life...and try to find some time to relax between work...dont try to travel in both extremes...try to go in the middle...

Answer 10

if you can afford to do it (i mean, if you can pay the bills and other living expensses by means other then your work pay) and you feel that you need a good rest, i don't see why not.